Manhole cover puller and method

ABSTRACT

A device for pulling a manhole cover comprises an elongated rod having a straight upper portion and an angled lower portion extending normally to the axis of the upper portion and from the lower end thereof, a stop member secured to the upper portion adjacent the lower end and opposite the lower portion, and a handle at the upper end of the upper portion. The device is used by inserting the angled portion into an orifice on the manhole cover and pulling the upper portion upwardly and away from the cover so that the short lower portion acts as a lever and lifts the side of the manhole cover closest to the orifice.

United States Patent [191 Gale [451 Sept. 24, 1974 1 MANHOLE COVERPULLER AND METHOD [76] Inventor: Myron C. Gale, 592 S. 700 E., St.

George, Utah 84770 221 Filed: Mar. 9, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 339,563

[52] U.S. Cl. 254/131, 294/18 [51] Int. Cl 1366f 3/00 [58] Field OfSearch 254/120, 131, 130, 129;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,655,399 10/1953 McMillan294/17 3,522,932 8/1970 Nakasone D199,0l9 8/1964 Marson 7/12 UX PrimaryExaminerOthell M. Simpson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jerry R. Seiler 5 7ABSTRACT A device for pulling a manhole cover comprises an elongated rodhaving a straight upper portion and an angled lower portion extendingnormally to the axis of the upper portion and from the lower endthereof, a stop member secured to the upper portion adjacent the lowerend and opposite the lower portion, and a handle at the upper end of theupper portion. The device is used by inserting the angled portion intoan orifice on the manhole cover and pulling the upper portion upwardlyand away from the cover so that the short lower portion acts as a leverand lifts the side of the manhole cover closest to the orifice.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEPZMSH 4 E Du U E El MANHOLE COVERPULLER AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Manhole covers are usedextensively to cover manholes particularly on streets as well as otherlocations which holes provide ready access to underground cables, pipes,sewers and the like. Normally, the manhole covers are provided with atleast one orifice and often more allowing for ambient pressureequalization in the underground facility.

The manhole covers are usually made from cast iron or steel and arequite heavy, often weighing between about 150 and about 180 pounds ormore. The covers lie flush or slightly depressed from the roadwaysurface so that when one wishes to remove the cover, they are quitedifficult to handle and remove. For example, a person may grasp thecoverwith his fingers through the orifice and attempt to pull it up from astooping position which can easily cause back or abdominal muscleinjury. Even from a stooping position one may find considerabledifficulty in attempting to pick the cover up because of its weight.Moreover, a persons fingers or hand may become caught under the coverwhile trying to move it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a simple,unitary device which can be used by a person to easily move a manholecover. The device comprises an elongated rod having a straight upperportion and a relatively short lower portion extending at a normal angleto the axis of the upper portion and includes a stop member securedadjacent the point of intersection of the lower and upper portions andopposite the lower portion. The device is easily used by simplyinserting the relatively short lower portion into a manhole coverorifice until the stop member prevents further insertion. With the stopmember resting on the cover adjacent the orifice, the upper portion ispulled upwardly causing the lower portion to contact the inside coversurface. By continuing to apply pressure to the upper portion, thedevice acts as a lever and lifts the manhole cover and out of itsposition in the manhole casing. The dislodged cover can then be easilyfurther displaced or moved. These advantages as well as the otherfeatures of the device will be more fully explained in the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS which includes a straight upperportion 12 and a relatively short lower portion 14. The lower portion asshown may actually be merely an extension of a single piece of rod whichhas been bent to the desired angle or it may be a separate piece whichhas been welded or otherwise secured rigidly to the lower end of theupper portion. The lower portion'extends approximately perpendicular ornormal to the upper portion. The specific angle may be varied betweenabout 20 and 30 in either direction from perpendicular although theperpen? dicular angle is most preferred. Further, it will be understoodthat the angle between the lower and upper portions need not be abruptbut may be gradual, for example, where the device is formed by bending asingle length of rod.

A stop member 16 is also provided adjacent the lower end of upperportion 12 or approximately opposite the position at which lower portion14 is secured to or extends from the upper portion. The purpose for stopmember 16 is to provide both a stop to limit the extent at which thelower portion can be inserted into a manhole cover orifice as well asacting as a fulcrum for the lever action achieved by the device whenused to open a manhole cover. Thus, when the device is used, lowerportion 14 is inserted into the cover orifice and the user will thenexert pressure on upper portion 12 upwardly while stop member 16 restson the manhole cover surface. The stop member then becomes a leverfulcrum so that continued upward pressure on the upper member willconcomitantly cause the lower portion 14 to raise the near side of themanhole cover.

It is also preferable to provide a handle 18 at the upper end of upperportion 12 to facillitate greater ease in grasping the device andespecially during prying a manhole cover. The handle is secured to theupper end of the upper portion by welding or bolting or any otherconvenient means. The shape of the handle shown is not particularlycritical so long as it serves the desired purpose.

It will be noted that lower angled portion 14 is of shorter length ascompared to the upper portion 12. Since the device is to act as a leverwith stop member 16 being the fulcrum, the greater the length of theupper portion as compared to the lower portion, the greater will be theforce which may be applied at end 15 of the lower portion. Accordingly,it is preferred that the upper portion is at least about four times thelength of the lower portion with any specific length being only limitedby the convenient total weight of the device desired for carrying andhandling by a user. However, the length of the upper portion of thedevice is preferably about twelve inches and more preferably about 14 to16 inches with the lower portion having a length of between about I andabout 4 inches and more preferably about 2 inches.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the device as it is to be used and in relation toremove a manhole cover 20. In FIG. 3, the device is shown in the properposition so that lower portion 14 is directed into orifice 22 adjacentone side of the cover. In FIG. 4, the device is in place with lowerportion 14 extending through the orifice of cover 20. Again, the lowerportion is simply inserted into orifice 22 until stop member 16 rests onthe upper surface of the cover. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, theoperator, standing away from the cover, simply pulls the upper portionupwardly and away from the cover as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4 andconcomitantly the lower portion of the device which is now underneaththe cover is urged upwardly. As the operator continues to apply force tothe upper portion, the cover will become lifted on the side close to theorifice as illustrated in FIGS. 4

and 5. Once the cover has been dislodged sufficiently, the operator maythen simply pull on the device thereby sliding the cover away from themanhole openin g and onto the adjacent street surface. Such an operationmay be accomplished by the user in a position shown and since there islittle lifting involved, it can be done very conveniently by a singleperson without undue strain or the likelihood of injury.

The materials from which the device is constructed may be any strongmetal such as hardened steel, stainless steel and the like which willnot bend or become deformed during use, considering the weight of thecover to be moved. As previously noted, the device may be madesubstantially of a single rod, with the lower portion being simply bentor turned to achieve the angle as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lowerportion must of course be of a size small enough to allow insertion intoa manhole cover orifice but otherwise the size of the cross section ofeither the upper or lower portion is not particularly critical so longas adequate strength requirements are met. The stop member should be ofa size sufficient so as not to gain entry into the cover orifice and sothat it will provide the intended stop. It

' may be made of the same material such as hardened steel or the like sothat it will easily withstand the weight and force being applied. Thus,the stop member may, for example, be a short piece of the same rod usedfor the upper and lower portion and welded at the lower end of the upperportion and opposite the lower portion as shown. It may also be boltedor otherwise secured if added strength is desired. The handlemay alsocomprise the same rod material of which the device is constructed andmay be welded, bolted or otherwise secured permanently so that theoverall device is rigid and of a substantially unitary construction.Other shapes or features of the device to achieve this same use andfunction will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and areintended to be within the'purview of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for removing a manhole cover having an orifice thereincomprising:

an elongated rod having a substantially uniform cross section along itsentire length having a straight upper portion and a relatively shortlower portion extending at an angle normal to the upper portion from thelower end thereof, a stop member larger than the opening of said coverorifice secured to said upper portion adjacent its lower end andopposite said lower portion, and a handle at the upper end of said upperportion, said rod cross-section being of smaller dimension than thewidth of the cover orifice.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said upper portion is at least aboutfour times the length of said lower portion.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the length of said upper portionbetween said stop member and said handle is at least about 12 inches.

1. A device for removing a manhole cover having an orifice thereincomprising: an elongated rod having a substantially uniform crosssection along its entire length having a straight upper portion and arelatively short lower portion extending at an angle normal to the upperportion from the lower end thereof, a stop member larger than theopening of said cover orifice secured to said upper portion adjacent itslower end and opposite said lower portion, and a handle at the upper endof said upper portion, said rod cross-section being of smaller dimensionthan the width of the cover orifice.
 2. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid upper portion is at least about four times the length of said lowerportion.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the length of said upperportion between said stop member and said handle is at least about 12inches.